Back catalogue: Classical

Review: Iconic movie classic Beetlejuice is back and we for one have enjoyed its return. Tim Burton's 1988 cult classic has been reimagined for modern audiences in 2014 and came complete with a new soundtrack. The original score, composed by the legendary Danny Elfman, blends whimsical melodies with eerie undertones, perfectly capturing the film's quirky and haunting vibe. Highlights of the original include Elfman's iconic main titles, which have become synonymous with Burton's gothic style. The new soundtrack also features standout tracks like Alfie Davis & The Sylvia Young Theatre School Choir's rendition of 'Day-O' and Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting," adding fresh dimensions to this timeless, offbeat classic.

Review: For many people of a certain generation. Shawshank Redemption was the first grown-up film they ever saw which is why it is atop so many best-ever lists. No matter when you see it though, it remains a classic with an engaging story, great characters and an immersive soundtrack. To mark the 30th anniversary of the great movie, that soundtrack has now been pressed up on limited, numbered 180-gram audiophile black & white marbled vinyl with an insert. Plenty of the film's musical motifs and most memorable scenes feature and make for a great stand-alone listen.

Review: Final Symphony II delves deeper into the cherished melodies of the Final Fantasy series. Renowned composers Roger Wanamo and Jonne Valtonen skillfully craft rich and intricate arrangements of Nobuo Uematsu's iconic compositions from FF5, 8 & 9. Additionally, Masashi Hamauzu offers a captivating suite inspired by his monumental original score for Final Fantasy XIII, while Valtonen sets the tone with his atmospheric opening piece 'In a Roundabout Way - Fanfare'. Pianist Mischa Cheung shines brightly in the spotlight, captivating audiences with his masterful performances in 'For the People of Gaia' and the emotive solo arrangement 'You Are Not Alone'.

Review: Waxwork Records presents another superb OST here in the form of the complete Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to George A. Romero's Night of the Living Dead. Released originally in 1968, this groundbreaking independent horror film follows seven strangers trapped in a farmhouse and besieged by flesh-eating ghouls. Made on a modest budget by a group of Pittsburgh-based filmmakers, it became a cultural phenomenon, earning over 250 times its cost and redefining the horror genre. Acknowledged as a cult classic, the film is preserved in the National Film Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance and the soundtrack is just as compelling.

Review: It's not often you get to talk about a classical supergroup. It's debatable whether the term supergroup really exists in the classical realm, although Tar, or, to use the full title, Tar (Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture) is probably as close as you'll get to proving that it does. Evidence is coming, so don't worry.

The work of Academy Award, two-time Grammy Award, and Primetime Emmy Award-winning Icelandic composer, cellist and general shapeshifter Hildur Ingveldardottir Gudnadottir (who has recorded with Throbbing Gristle and Pan Sonic, and toured alongside Sunn O))) and Animal Collective), she's only gone and blown the bloody doors off/drafted the Dresden Philharmonic, London Contemporary Orchestra, and London Symphony Orchestra for this incredible outing, which not only offers sublime tracks but glimpses of the record process itself.

Review: Are video games the ultimate 21st Century culture form? It's a bold statement, but stick with it for a second. The past 100 years were defined, in pop terms at least, by two specific creative industries - music and cinema. Today, elements of both are cornerstones of what makes a fantastic playable story, the current pinnacle of an industry's journey from den of geek to den of cool, with releases such as the PlayStation 4 and 5 title Horizon: Forbidden West bringing in numbers other mediums can only dream of in the post-pandemic age of empty movie theatres, free streaming, and concert no-shows. Shifting no less than eight million copies in its first 12 months on sale, the release was praised for technical developments, combat action, acting, and visual beauty. The tunes aren't bad either. Setting the scene in a post-apocalyptic vision of the American West, several years in the future from now, it's a cunning mix of organic, folk-like elements with ambient and classical, and it's well worth a listen even if you've never picked up a control pad in your life.

Review: One of the most startling aspects of Todd Philips' Joker sequel - aside from the creepy, claustrophobic, horror-leaning moodiness of Hildur Guonadottir's original score - was the director's decision to get its lead character to belt out cover versions of well-known songs, jukebox musical style. It's that aspect of the film's soundtrack that's showcased on this release, rather than Guonadottir's incredible score. Joaquim Phoenix and Lady Gaga, then, are the undoubted stars of the show, belting out - individually or collectively - such familiar favourites as 'That's Entertainment', 'That's Life', 'When You're Smiling (The World Smiles With You)' and 'To Love Somebody'.

Review: To celebrate the 30th anniversary of this cult TV show, this special edition soundtrack brings the iconic series' music to life once again. Featuring the legendary score composed by Jerry Goldsmith alongside additional tracks from renowned composers like Dennis McCarthy, this release captures the futuristic essence of the groundbreaking sci-fi series. From the soaring theme song to the dramatic orchestral compositions, the tunes evoke the spirit of exploration and adventure that defined the show, all presented in stunning sound quality.

Review: You had us at hello. Or at least you had us at weird French sounds from the 1970s, a decade that played a pivotal role in modernising musical processes, techniques and instruments, among other things. With names like Gilbert Becaud & Christian Gaubert, Jean Schwarz, Jacky Chalard & Gilbert Deaez and Alain Goraguer, those more in tune with this era in Gallic sound culture will know this is going to be a varied ride. Hence we open on 'The Organization', a piece that nods to the classical heritage of screen scores and captures the laidback attitude of the late-1960s perfectly, before moving through a wealth of styles, including proto-New Wave, post-punk, Kraut and meditative moods. For want of a better description. Nothing you won't have encountered before, but certainly pushing in new directions at the time.

Review: With a name like Top Series Vol. 1 you really know what to expect. A collection of cult theme tunes plucked from the annals of television history, here to satisfy the deepest nostalgia catalysed through another Member Berry binge. Spanning a vast range of genres in terms of what the shows themselves were about, and the music made to accompany them, it's pretty clear there's something here that will resonate with everyone, track list spanning the Golden Age of Broadcasting to the streaming revolution. Where else could you hope to find music from The Benny Hill Show on the same record as The Sopranos, Better Call Saul, and Stranger Things? Or Rick & Morty sharing a platform with Seinfeld, and Game of Thrones next to Quantum Leap? A celebration of stone cold classics from the 20th and 21st Century.

Review: It's surprisingly not that common for a director to pick music for their movie. There are accomplished experts at scouring and sourcing the most powerful and moving tunes for cinema, and, of course, composers who have established themselves as maestros of silver screen scores. Luca Guadagnino is an exception to the rule, then, with his coming-of-age drama, Call Me By Your Name, soundtracked via his choices. And what choices they are. The film itself is beautiful and incredibly moving, adjectives which also apply to the accompanying sounds. From the theatrical pop of Loredana Berte, to the staggering instrumentation of Ryuichi Sakamoto and heartfelt cries of Sufjan Stevens, this collection of tones is as varied as it is captivating from beginning to end, and - whether you've seen the flick or not - deserves a place on everyone's shelf.

Review: The Beetlejuice is back! The whimsical and eerie energy of Tim Burton's 1988 cult classic has been remade for modern audiences and comes with a new soundtrack. The original was composed by the legendary Danny Elfman and the score masterfully blends mischievous melodies with haunting undertones that encapsulate the film's offbeat charm. Highlights include Elfman's iconic main titles, which have become synonymous with Burton's gothic aesthetic, and the likes of Alfie Davis & The Sylvia Young Theatre School Choir's 'Day-O' and Richard Marx's 'Right Here Waiting.'

Review: Tim Burton's films offer a one-of-a-kind experience, creating vivid, macabre universes where outsiders and gothic elements reign supreme. The original Beetlejuice stands as one of the defining films in this universe and set high expectations for the sequel. Without spoilers, we can confirm that Danny Elfman's iconic theme remains as evocative as ever, while the soundtrack is a standout. Featuring artists like Donna Summer, Sigur Ros, and Scott Weiland, the collection also includes Pino Donaggio's deceptively serene Main Title from Carrie-a brilliant and unexpected nod to the 1976 Carrie all adding a perfect touch of comedic darkness.